title: Causes of mental handicap in Cape Town.
abstract: A cross-cultural study of the cause of the mental handicap of greater than 1,000 children born in the Cape Town area between 1974 and 1986 was carried out. Acquired causes were noted to be more prevalent among the black ethnic group. This study showed that at least 80-100 additional cases of moderate-severe mental handicap can be expected in the Cape Town area each year. Attention is drawn to the expanded facilities that will be required to provide for the ongoing special needs of these children. Possible areas for prevention of mental handicap are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Cape Town.
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Molteno
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roux
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Arens
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D044383:Black People; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D013019:South Africa; D044465:White People